Keelevestluses

Keelevestluses is a term used in language education to describe a structured, interactive practice of speaking in a target language through authentic conversational exchanges among learners. The approach prioritizes natural communication, turn-taking, and collaborative problem solving, with the goal of developing fluent, confident speech and pragmatic language skills.

Etymology and use: The term draws on Estonian roots, with "keel" meaning language and "vestlus" meaning conversation; the compound suggests a setting in which language is learned and practiced through real dialogue. While originally associated with Estonian pedagogy, keelevestluses has been described in diverse multilingual classroom contexts and online language exchanges as a generic framework for conversation-focused practice.

Practice structure: Keelevestluses sessions typically start from a task or prompt that requires interaction, such as information exchange or problem solving. Participants speak in pairs or small groups, negotiate meaning, and provide feedback to one another. Facilitators model strategies, monitor participation, and may introduce target-language prompts or glossaries to aid comprehension.

Advantages and challenges: Proponents say it supports meaningful language use, increases speaking time, and helps learners acquire pragmatic competence. Critics warn that without skilled facilitation, participation may be uneven, discourse may drift off-topic, and learners with less confidence may withdraw. Effective implementation often relies on clear tasks, guidelines, and reflective feedback.

See also: communicative language teaching, task-based language learning, dialogic pedagogy, conversation analysis, language pedagogy.